Super Bowl XL will mark the sixth straight season a former Kent State football team member will compete for the championship ring when the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Seattle Seahawks at 8 p.m. Sunday.

In his second full season as a reserve linebacker and special teams standout, James Harrison, a 2001 graduate of Kent State, is projected to play in Sunday’s game for the Steelers.

Last season, former Kent State coach Dean Pees earned a Super Bowl ring as the linebacker coach for the Patriots in a 24-21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2004, the New England Patriots punter Ken Walter defeated the Carolina Panthers and receiver Eugene Baker. Walter played for the Flashes for three years, while Baker spent four years at Kent State.

New England defensive back Mike McGruder and Atlanta tight end O.J. Santiago were both a part of Super Bowl losses in 2002 and 2004,

respectively.

– Amanda Vasil